Dear colleagues,

Like many of you, I am pleased  that Oregon State is anticipating a return to primarily in-person teaching on our campuses and on-site research, engagement, extracurricular programs and activities next fall. These plans are tentative depending on public health conditions, naturally, but there is cause for optimism.

With the prospect of a more normal academic experience ahead of us, the College of Science is now in a place to evaluate how we will position ourselves for the future. There is a growing sense that some changes caused by the pandemic will last. Larger segments of the population have learned how to rely on digital connections for work, education, business transactions and social interaction. It is important that we evaluate the accelerating shift in our students’ needs and expectations as we look forward. Our core mission to pursue fundamental research and provide transformational education will never change, but we understand that technology opens new trajectories.

To direct our efforts and resources toward a clearly defined vision for the future, next year we will  develop a new College of Science strategic plan. The last strategic plan ended December 2020, but we delayed the development of a new plan in order to direct our energy toward the demands of providing a remote education.

The 2015-20 plan aimed to help the College to build a diverse and inclusive science community focused on excellence; be a global leader in scientific research and scholarship for a better world; and excel in outreach, engagement, visibility and economic development. The College’s encouraging progress on the metrics for these goals can be seen in our last annual report (p. 56).

The new strategic plan will build on these goals and strategically  address how we will adapt to the changing educational landscape while fortifying our core identity as a R1 university that “that engages in the highest levels of research activity.” As we expand our successful Ecampus programs and enrollment grows, for example, we will need to grow our tenure-track faculty ranks accordingly.

Thankfully, our budget for next year looks sound at this point. Thanks to all units for putting forward priority staffing requests. I will be reviewing these over the next few weeks, and look forward to approving some searches for both tenure-track faculty and fixed-term faculty.

Diversity, equity and inclusion will be a significant strategic priority, and the new plan will incorporate the diversity action plan being developed by College of Science Diversity, Equity, Justice and Inclusion Working Group. The diversity action plan – expected to be released in July 2021 – will align with OSU’s strategic plan 4.0 and the Office of Institutional Diversity’s strategic plan, “Innovate & Integrate: Plan for Inclusive Excellence.”

In the coming months, I will appoint a strategic planning steering committee to lead the development of the plan. The committee will provide opportunities for your input and will keep the community informed during the process. I anticipate the completion of input gathering activities by the end of October of this year, and a new College of Science strategic plan to be introduced early in the next calendar year.

We’re approaching the end of a challenging and productive academic year. I am thrilled to share that two College of Science students out of four OSU students won 2021 Goldwater awards – junior Emily Gemmill, a biochemistry and biophysics and mathematics double-major, and sophomore Alyssa Pratt, a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Computer Science double-major. I am also delighted to announce that biochemistry and molecular biology Honors student Maja Engler was selected for the 2021 Fulbright Open Study/Research Award. Additionally, Emily Newton (’12, biology) won a Fulbright Open Study/Research award.

The ongoing success of College of Science students in winning nationally competitive scholarships is a testament to the strength of our College’s scientific research and instruction that helps students translate ideas into action.

Roy Haggerty
Dean, College of Science

Research Highlights

Biochemist Elisar Barbar, along with Ph.D. student Heather Masson-Forsythe and undergrads Joaquin Rodriguez and Seth Pinckney, published a study in Biophysical Journal outlining their findings on the N protein’s interactions with SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, taking a key step toward new drugs and vaccines combating COVID-19.

Research Funding

Marine biologist Sarah Gravem received $48k from the University of California- Davis fir a project entitled “Assessing the reproductive timing and status of Pycnopodia helianthoides to inform species recovery strategies in the Salish Sea and Northeast Pacific.”

Chemist Dipankar Koley received $116K from Oregon Health and Science University for a one-year project entitled “Pyruvate oxidase determines ecological fitness of oral streptococci.”

Biochemist Ryan Mehl received a four-year, $1.2 million grant for a project entitled “Ideal eukaryotic tetrazine ligations for imaging protein dynamics in live cells.”

Marine biologist Bruce Menge received $230K from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for a project entitled “Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans: PISCO Science for an Informed Society.”

Biochemist Afua Nyarko’s proposal entitled Assembly of multivalent regulatory complexes in hippo signaling was accepted by the National Science Foundation for $820K in funding over four years. The proposal request was for three years but it was funded for an additional year – a testament of the quality and impact of the work. Congratulations, Afua!

Astrophysicist Xavier Siemens received $17M from the National Science Foundation that will move the NANOGrav Physics Frontiers Center to Oregon State University. The center will generate deeper discoveries about the universe in the coming years and will create additional opportunities for OSU students interested in pursuing careers in astrophysics. Congratulations, Xavi!

Physicist Bo Sun received $352K from the National Institutes of Health for a project entitled “Understanding the control mechanisms of 3D cell migration from new dimensions.”

Research Proposal Support

You can find funding opportunities on ECOS. To access a suite of tools and resources available to faculty, visit the College of Science Proposal Support webpage.

Beaver Connect

Beaver Connect is recruiting Mentors for the 2021-22 academic year! Training will be offered in Summer/Fall and official program duties last from Fall 2021 – Spring 2022. If you’re interested in being a mentor for first-generation and underrepresented students next year, fill out this form by May 31. If you know any undergraduate students that would make great peer mentors for Beaver Connect, please encourage them to apply by May 31!.

IE@OSU Stem Fellowships

Are you interested in advancing inclusive excellence in STEM, implementing pedagogical practices to enhance equity and justice in the science classroom, and connecting with a vibrant community of STEM faculty like you? Each year, IE@OSU welcomes a cohort of up to 20 STEM faculty from OSU, Linn-Benton and Lane Community Colleges to participate in a yearlong fellowship. We are now accepting applications for Fellows for the 2021-22 cohort! Learn more and apply.

Global Honors

Mathematician Malgo Peszynska received the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Geosciences Career Prize. She will formally receive the award at the 2021 SIAM Conference on Mathematical and Computational Issues in the Geosciences in June. Congratulations, Malgo!

National Honors

Two College of Science students are among 410 college students nationwide to receive prestigious national Barry Goldwater scholarships in 2021! Emily Gemmill is a junior biochemistry/biophysics and mathematics student, and Alyssa Pratt is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology and computer science. Outstanding!

Honors biochemistry and molecular biology senior Maja Engler has been selected as OSU’s 2021-2022 Fulbright Scholar! Next year she will be in Germany to conduct research at Ulm University on genetic variations in hibernating dwarf hamsters to better understand potential biomedical applications for humans. Congratulations!

Congratulations also to marine biology alumna Emily Newton (’12) on her 2021-22 Fulbright Award. Emily will work with Antarctic marine scientists in New Zealand to conduct research on two different kelp-rafting invertebrates and their effect on warming, nearshore Antarctic ecosystems.

First-year biology Ph.D. students Kristofer Bauer and Cheyenne Jarman won the 2021 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Bauer is investigating how marine invertebrates may adapt to climate change, and Jarman is examining predator-prey behavioral interactions to strengthen conservation and management of ecosystems.

Integrative Biology Ph.D. students Sara Hamilton and Zechariah Meunier are among the 22 receiving a Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award, presented annually by the Ecological Society of America. Sara and Zechariah will learn about the intricacies of federal policy making and science advocacy on Capitol Hill.

University Honors

Microbiologist Maude David received the 2020 Breaking Barriers in Education Award by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women at Oregon State University. This award recognizes a member of the OSU community whose high impact in teaching and mentoring has paved the way to advance gender equity in higher education and allows all to thrive and prosper. Congratulations, Maude!

College Honors

Congratulations to the 2021 winners of the College of Science teaching and advising, and research, service and administration awards!

Research and Staff Awards

Gladys Valley Award for Exemplary Administrative Support

• Tresa Bowlin, Main Office Staff, Integrative Biology

College of Science Inclusive Excellence Award

• Heather Masson-Forsythe, Graduate Student, Biochemistry and Biophysics

College of Science Distinguished Service Award

• Megan Wilson, Graduate Student, Integrative Biology

Dean’s Early Career Achievement Award

• Felipe Barreto, Assistant Professor, Integrative Biology

Champion of Science Award

• Sierra Hansen and Rusty Root, Chemistry, Chemstores

Milton Harris Award for Basic Research in Science

• Chong Fang, Associate Professor, Chemistry

F.A. Gilfillan Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Science

• Michael Freitag, Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Disease Mechanism and Prevention Fund

• Adrian Gombart, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Marilyn Rampersad Mackiewicz, Chemistry

Science Research and Innovation Seed Awards (SciRIS-ii)

• Chong Fang, Chemistry
• Kyriakos Stylianou, Chemistry
• Oksana Ostroverkhova, Physics

Teaching and Advising Awards

Olaf Boedtker Award for Excellence in Academic Advising

• Tiffany Bolman, Advisor, BioHealth Sciences

Loyd F. Carter Award for Outstanding and Inspirational Teaching in Science, Undergraduate

• Corinne Manogue, Professor, Physics

Loyd F. Carter Award for Outstanding and Inspirational Teaching in Science, Graduate

• Charlotte Wickham, Senior Instructor, Statistics

Fred Horne Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching Science

• Kari Van Zee, Senior Instructor, Biochemistry and Biophysics

College of Science Whiteley Faculty Scholar for Teaching Excellence Award

• Devon Quick, Senior Instructor, Integrative Biology

OSU Faculty Scholars for Teaching Excellence Award

• KC Walsh, Senior Instructor, Physics

The Department of Integrative Biology’s herpetology collection was featured in a great article in Atlas Obscura. Kudos to curator Steve Arnold and garter snake expert Bob Mason for building and sustaining this important collection.

Biochemist Elisar Barbar was interviewed on KOIN 6 for her work studying a key protein in the COVID-19 virus that could lead to new treatments.

Chemist Mas Subramanian was interviewed by Mercer Island High School senior Eden Voss for her podcast “Garden of Eden” about his YInMn Blue discovery. Listen to the show on Spotify.Physicist Bo Sun’s most recent paper, “The mechanics and dynamics of cancer cells sensing noisy 3D contact guidance,” was featured on the National Science Foundation’s research news website. 

Please take a moment to update your College of Science directory profile with your latest publications and awards! Simply scroll to the bottom of your profile page and click the “Log In” button. From there, you will see an “edit” button at the top of the page and can make changes from there. You may also send your requested changes to Cari Longman in the College marketing office (cari.longman@oregonstate.edu).

A sad farewell to former Dean of Science Fred Horne (1934–2021). Dr. Horne’s leadership has shaped the College and OSU in profound ways. His generous scholarships support teaching excellence and an expansion of opportunities for women and minority students. We remain grateful for his immense contributions to science and to our students.

On Earth Day, April 22, the College featured our students and scientists who are working toward a bright future and healthier planet.

An inspiring film called “Picture a Scientist” is now available for streaming to OSU students, faculty and staff. The film chronicles the gender and racial biases that drive so many out of science.The TRACE-OSU project will cease operations by June 30, 2021. Other TRACE operations, including community-based testing, wastewater monitoring and genetic sequencing will continue under a renamed project, HFAST, under Dan Larson’s leadership. The last normal week of testing for OSU students, faculty and staff will be final exam week, with an additional two weeks of as-needed testing until the end of June.

Commencement Videos

Graduation is right around the corner. Help us celebrate all our wonderful students by recording yourself for your department’s commencement video! Refer to this Google doc for more detailed guidance on how to record your video. Be creative, have fun, and most of all, celebrate our students. Upload your completed videos no later than May 13.

Recent events

Dam Proud Day, April 28
Dam Proud Day, Oregon State University’s day of giving, raised nearly $27.5K for the College of Science student emergency fund, which supports Equity Promise Scholarships to help students facing financial distress. Many thanks to Cari Longman, marketing manager, and our OSU Foundation partners Marlys Amundson and Hannah Hegerberg for their fabulous work organizing our drive – and to the many COS faculty, staff, alumni and friends who contributed and helped make the day a success!

College of Science Awards, April 22
The College of Science gathered virtually on April 22 to recognize academic, administrative and teaching excellence at the College’s 2020-21 Combined Awards Ceremony – a merge of our annual Faculty and Staff Awards and Teaching and Advising Awards events. Read more about the winners here and here.

The Art of Resilience: The Science of Songbirds, April 19, 4-5 p.m.
Biologist Jamie Cornelius presented a webinar on the effects of climate change on songbirds in the Pacific Northwest.

Ibram X. Kendi, Provost Lecture, April 14
The College of Science co-hosted a Provost Lecture featuring Ibram X. Kendi, one of the nation’s leading scholars of anti-racism and three-time NY Times best-selling author.